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Search for native plants by scientific name, common name or family. If you are not sure what you are looking for, try the Combination Search or our Recommended Species lists.

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Cypripedium candidum (White lady's slipper)
McAdoo, David R.

Cypripedium candidum

Cypripedium candidum Muhl. ex Willd.

White Lady's Slipper, Small White Lady's Slipper

Orchidaceae (Orchid Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: CYCA5

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

Found in moist prairies and meadows in the Upper Midwest and parts of the Northeast of the United States. It extends into Canada in southern Manitoba and Ontario, where it is listed as an endangered species. Isolated populations in southern Saskatchewan and northern Alabama.

 

From the Image Gallery

6 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Herb
Leaf Arrangement: Alternate
Leaf Complexity: Simple
Leaf Shape: Elliptic , Lanceolate , Oblanceolate
Fruit Type: Capsule
Size Notes: Up to about 16 inches tall.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White , Yellow , Green , Purple , Brown
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AL , CT , IA , IL , IN , KY , MD , MI , MN , MO , ND , NE , NJ , NY , OH , PA , SD , VA , WI
Canada: MB , ON , SK
Native Habitat: Prairie/Meadow/Field

Growing Conditions

Light Requirement: Sun
Soil Moisture: Moist

Benefit

Conspicuous Flowers: yes

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: OBL OBL OBL OBL OBL
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

From the National Organizations Directory

According to the species list provided by Affiliate Organizations, this plant is on display at the following locations:

Mt. Cuba Center - Hockessin, DE

Web Reference

Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 26 - Minnesota Wildflowers: a field guide to the flora of Minnesota (2009)
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

From the Archive

Wildflower Newsletter 1989 VOL. 6, NO.3 - Butterfly Gardens, Director\'s Report, Proper Care Gives Staying Power to Cut Fl...

Additional resources

USDA: Find Cypripedium candidum in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Cypripedium candidum in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Cypripedium candidum

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-11-08
Research By: TWC Staff

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